DATE:	Wednesday, October 7, 1998 7:00 p.m.
TO:	Commissioners, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Budget Input Hearing Harmony Hall 10701 Livingston Road Fort Washington, MD
BY:	Dorothy Hodges
SUBJECT:	HENSON CREEK TRAIL EXTENSION

The plans for the Henson Creek Trail call for its southwest end to be extended across Oxon Hill Road onto Park and Planning land that reaches to a point that overlooks Broad Creek where it enters the Potomac. The land is called Henson Creek Stream Valley Park on your ADC Street Map book for Prince George's County. There has never been a ribbon-cutting for the Henson Creek Trail because it is not yet "finished." The Park and Planning capital improvements budget has emphasized trails in the northern, more populous part of the county for many years. In the past, this club has primarily stressed the need for more maintenance money to repair, clean, and correct drainage on the portion of the Henson Creek Trail that now exists, and which is subject to regular flooding. Recreation and civic organizations have made input for the extension, but funds were allocated to the completion of trails in the north. This evening we heartily join the other organizations in urging this overdue extension of the Henson Creek Hiker-Biker Trail.

When County Councilmen Estep and Gourdine were elected, they took an interest in the trail's completion. However, it is necessary to obtain budget allocation. This extension has been requested as far back as 1996. We are thankful to Morris Warren of the WB&A Recreational/Commuter Trail Association for his letter of June 14 that year to Councilman Gourdine, which names the extension of the Henson Creek Trail as one of four prioritized trail proposals made six years ago by the College Park Area Bicycle Coalition - of which our club is a member. The other three trails have been funded.

The population of our area has been growing steadily, and we feel it is now urgent that the trail be extended to the planned terminus at the Potomac end, with its park and adequate parking area so all trail users can have a good starting point.

Before closing, we wish to thank the Commission and staff for the replacement of the bridge that was washed out three years ago at the access point of the trail at East Barrett Drive in the Murray Hills subdivision. That access point has been sorely missed, and users are awaiting the renovation of the trail approach and finishing of the bridge joints so the bridge can be opened to the public.

Thank you.